After a consultation process that invited the views of motorists, road safety campaigners and representatives from the motor industry, plans to change the UK’s current MoT system to a bi-annual test have been shelved.

The Government announced the ‘no change’ result at the beginning of April, after considering switching to a European-style two-yearly test – with the first MoT due after four years instead of the current three. But the Department of Transport has decided that its review of garages and MoTs will not involve any reduction of frequency.

The idea of reducing MoT frequency was initially suggested by the then Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond. The proposal has been overturned, however, by his successor, Justine Greening. In a statement to MPs, she announced: “The Government will work with industry, motoring organisations and consumer groups to focus on the reliability and standards of garages.”

Greening added: “Our garages are crucial to ensuring that Britain’s roads continue to be among the safest in the world. Most are doing good work but the latest data shows that there is room for improvement.

“I want each motorist to be confident that a visit to the garage ends with their car repaired to a high standard by reputable mechanics rather than uncertainty about cost and the quality of service.”

A lobby group going by the name of Pro-MOTe – set up in 2011 to campaign against the proposed MoT changes – welcomed the latest news. Its campaign was backed by more than thirty organisations, including the AA and RAC. Pro-MOTe co-ordinator Bill Duffy commented:

“Reducing the frequency of MoTs would have been dangerous, expensive and unwanted, and we welcome the Government’s sensible decision today to drop the idea. The proposal to reduce MoT frequency was opposed by organisations across the board, from industry to road safety campaigners to insurance companies and others.”

Duffy concluded: “We look forward to working with Government on how to make the MoT test better and to ensure consumers receive the best customer service.”

Improvements now under consideration include the launch of a Trip Advisor-style website for customers to review MoT test centres. There’s no official word yet on any possible MoT exclusion for older classic cars, as discussed in recent months.

What do you think? Are you pleased that the UK’s MoT remains an annual test, or would you have preferred a two-yearly European-style system? Whatever your views, write to us at the usual Peterborough address (see Page 3) or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .